Last season, Morgan State split 11 starts between quarterbacks Robert Council and Seth Higgins. The former started six games, while the latter started five. The rotation continued in 2013.

Higgins, a junior from Edgewood, started the Bears’ season opener against Army last Friday night, but did not complete the game won by the Black Knights, 28-12.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Higgins completed just 2 of 3 passes for 27 yards and was sacked twice. He eventually gave way to Council, a 6-4, 215-pound redshirt junior, on the offense’s third possession of the first quarter.

Council connected on 4 of 7 passes for 89 yards, including one touchdown, and was sacked once. He also rushed the ball 12 times for 47 yards and one score.

But Morgan State coach Donald Hill-Eley -- while discussing the quarterback and running back positions -- sounded comfortable with the tandem of Higgins and Council as Morgan State (0-1) prepares to travel to Robert Morris (0-0) on Saturday.

“You’ve got [Higgins], who does a great job of orchestrating and moving the offense, a big-gunned kid that can throw the ball well,” Hill-Eley said during a conference call Tuesday. “And then you have [Council], who can extend plays and make things happen with his feet as well as his arm. I think those two guys along with [redshirt freshman] Moses Skillon, whom we haven’t had a chance to take the field, I feel like those two areas are sound. We have depth and we have guys that are competing week in and week out at those positions, and I think it’s only going to get better as the season goes along.”

Hill-Eley was heartened by what he saw the offense do against the Black Knights. The unit compiled 301 yards of total offense and converted 6 of 13 third downs. But the Bears advanced into Army territory four times and came away with just two touchdowns.

Hill-Eley said the team must be more opportunistic when those chances present themselves.

“When we had opportunities to score, being able to get yards, it helps you in one degree, but you have to finish by getting into that box,” he said. “You have to find a way to complete those drives with points. Being that it was the first time, the offensive system out against a Division I opponent and a staunch opponent like Army, I was real impressed with them.”